I was born in Poonch (Kashmir) and now I live in Norway. I oppose war and violence and am a firm believer in the peaceful co-existence of all nations and peoples. In my academic work I have tried to espouse the cause of the weak and the oppressed in a world dominated by power politics, misleading propaganda and violations of basic human rights. I also believe that all conscious members of society have a moral duty to stand for and further the cause of peace and human rights throughout the world.

Thursday, August 07, 2014

Disarming: Gaza or Israel?

Nasir Khan, August 7, 2014

Palestinians have been under Israeli occupation; they have been
frequent targets of destructive Israeli wars and massacres. If common
sense can be our guide in this situation than the solution is to disarm
Israel and prosecute its war criminals for war crimes and crimes against
humanity in ICC. Disarming Hamas? Hamas has no army, no air force, no
missiles, no navy, no naval gunships, no tanks, no anti-aircraft
missiles. If Israel has played havoc with the homes and buildings of the
Gazans and killed people then the main reason for the Gazan tragedy
lies in their inability to defend themselves.

Ideally, for Gazans to defend themselves against Israel’s military
might they need a matching military power and weapons. It is obvious
that without this they have no chance to defend themselves and their
homes. We have seen this what Israel is capable of doing in the 29-day
war on Gaza. The Gazans have been at the mercy of Israeli missiles and
powerful bombs that pulverised their homes and other structures. Unless
Israel lifts the blockade, ends the occupation and develops a new
approach towards the people of Palestine the conflict will not
disappear.

But how can the Gazans under Hamas do that, to defend themselves
militarily, remains an open question. The leaders of the ‘New World
Order’ especially the United States will not allow that. There is no
major country that is ready to give substantive material support to the
Palestinians. Therefore the prevailing conditions will remain intact.

We need to keep in mind that Gaza is beleaguered by Israel from all
sides including its air space. It is the largest open-air prison in the
world. Now Israel by intentional destruction of the infrastructure of
Gaza has made sure that its people would not raise their heads again
against the ongoing occupation and blockade for years to come. But if
they did at some stage then they would have Israeli war-machine on their
heads again. It is as simple as that if we want to understand the
Israeli position.

No doubt, this is an undefendable situation. To my mind the only
explanation lies in the fact that it is military might that decides the
fate of a subjugated people, not their rights according to international
law or humane considerations. Yet the struggle of the Palestinians for
their national liberation from the Zionist yoke needs universal support.
The public demonstrations in many countries around the world denouncing
the Israeli genocide and carnage in Gaza have been positive. They show a
growing awareness among the people of the world about the plight of the
colonised Palestinians.